Dogs Of Different Breeds Research Articles

Ruptura de menisco associada à ruptura de ligamento cruzado cranial em cães

The following study describes meniscus ruptures associated to cranial cruciate ruptures, in 34 dogs of different breeds, ages and weights. Before surgery the animals underwent clinical and radiographic examinations. All animals presented either total or partial cranial cruciate ruptures: 21 (24.14%) of the animals didn’t present any meniscus lesions, and the rest (75.86%) presented only a medial meniscus lesion. The lesions found in the medial meniscus were the following: 33 stifles (37.93%) presented with eversion of the caudal pole (Type 1), 15 (17.24%) showed a bucked handle lesion (Type 6), 3 (3.45%) presented with fibrillation lesion (Type 4), 3 (3.45%) multiple fibrillation lesion (Type 3), 3 (3.45%) longitudinal lesion (Type 2), 1 (1.15%) lesion type 7 and 10 (11.49%) presented multiple lesion. Surgical procedure for cranial cruciate rupture included: tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) (49 stifle), tibial plateau leveling osteotomies (TPLO) (15 stifle), closing wedge osteotomy (CWO) (14 stifle), extracapsular (4 stifle) and meniscectomy alone (5 stifle), and all these techniques guaranteed weight baring and return to function in the first week after surgery, with no complications. Through this study we could demonstrate that meniscus tear is highly associated to cranial cruciate rupture and that the most common is type 1 (eversion of the caudal pole) and that cronicity of the lesion increases the probability of meniscus tear.

Nodular lesions due to infestation by Dirofilaria repens in dogs from Italy

Canine subcutaneous dirofilariosis caused by Dirofilaria repens is an important cause of human dirofilariosis in the Old World. To describe the clinical and pathological features of infestation by D.repens in dogs with cutaneous nodules and to discuss key diagnostic procedures. Sixteen privately owned dogs of different breeds, ages and genders with subcutaneous nodules were positive for D.repens on at least one diagnostic test. Diagnostic tests included cytological examination of fine-needle aspiration biopsies, detection of circulating larvae by Knott's test, morphological and molecular identification of adult parasites and microfilariae, and histopathological examination of excised nodules. Twelve animals were positive for D.repens microfilariae, using cytology and at least one other diagnostic test. Four of twelve dogs screened by Knott's test had circulating D.repens microfilariae, and three of them were co-infected with Dirofilaria immitis. In eight dogs, adult nematodes were morphologically identified as D. repens. Nodular panniculitis was observed in all cases, with nodules containing either one or several cross-sections of nematodes and microfilariae. The nematodes extracted were identified as D.repens by an RT-PCR on the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2). Adults and larvae of D.repens can induce skin nodules in dogs, and these lesions should be carefully evaluated in endemic areas. Clinicians should be aware that correct tissue sampling (including the storage of part of a sample in ethanol instead of formalin) is pivotal to achievement of a specific diagnosis. Cytology of fine-needle tissue aspirates was shown to be useful.

ABC Transporters in the Eyes of Dogs and Implications in Drug Therapy

Purpose: The current study aims to quantifies the level of expression of selected adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) efflux transporters and the major drug metabolizing enzyme CYP450 3A12 in the eyes of dogs.Materials and methods: The levels of expression were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction in the cornea, conjunctiva and retinal tissue.Results: ABCB1 mRNA is present at high levels in all analysed tissues. ABCC1, ABCC3 and ABCC4 are expressed predominantly in the conjunctiva and at very low levels in the cornea. ABCC2 could not be detected in any of the tissues. CYP3A12 expression was found in the retina and conjunctiva.Conclusion: These data are presented for the first time for ocular tissues of dogs of different breeds and a comparison with other species such as humans and rabbits demonstrated remarkable species differences, which might be of clinical relevance. The impact of these findings is discussed with reference to topical and systemic drug application in the treatment of ophthalmological diseases.

Osebnostne lastnosti psov in njihovih lastnikov

The aim of our study was to find association between the personality of owners and the personality of their dogs, assessed by their owners. Furthermore, we were interested in finding differences between dogs of different breeds. The sample included 661 owners (556 women and 105 men) and an equal number of their dogs (332 females and 329 males). The participants filled in the Big Five Inventory and slightly adopted the Big Five Inventory for dogs. The results indicated statistically significant correlations between almost all owner's personality dimensions and personality dimensions of their dogs. Besides the influence of owners and their personalities on the dog's personality, a possible cause of these associations could be their misevaluation as they want their dogs to have some equal characteristics as they have. Analysis of the data also revealed significant differences in dimensions between breeds in three of four dogs' personalities. Results were partly in accordance with hypothesized differences which were based upon official descriptions of temperament of specific breeds. Despite the fact that the research confirms that owners can judge dog's personality with satisfactory levels of accuracy, it is necessary to account all limitations of measuring dogs' personality in interpreting the results.

An Assessment of Left Ventricular Systolic Function with the Use of a Continuous Doppler Imaging in Dogs with Spontaneous Mitral Regurgitation. A Preliminary Study

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate systolic function of left ventricle in dogs with spontaneous mitral regurgitation by estimating the rate of pressure rise in the left ventricle (dP/dt). Ninety-three dogs of different breed and sex, with chronic degenerative valvular disease were examined. All dogs had echocardiography examination with dP/dt estimation assessed from mitral regurgitant jet using continuous Doppler-echocardiography. The dogs were divided into four classes of heart failure according to NYHA class. Results: dogs in NYHA I dP/dt = 2,142 ±1,309, SF=33.6±10.5, EF=66.58± 14; NYHA II dP/dt = 3,062 ±1,798, SF=42 ±10, EF=76.5 ±11.5; NYHA III dP/dt = 3,483 ±2,136, SF=44.2 ±21, EF=75.7 ±13; NYHA IV dP/dt = 4,496 ±1,797, SF=40.6 ±6, EF=70.4 ±16. Dogs with chronic cardiac insufficiency and mitral insufficiency due to chronic degenerative valvular disease had no echocardiograhic evidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction assessed from mitral regurgitant jet dP/dt.

Differences in Selection Drive Olfactory Receptor Genes in Different Directions in Dogs and Wolf

The olfactory receptor (OR) gene family is the largest gene family found in mammalian genomes. It is known to evolve through a birth-and-death process. Here, we characterized the sequences of 16 segregating OR pseudogenes in the samples of the wolf and the Chinese village dog (CVD) and compared them with the sequences from dogs of different breeds. Our results show that the segregating OR pseudogenes in breed dogs are under strong purifying selection, while evolving neutrally in the CVD, and show a more complicated pattern in the wolf. In the wolf, we found a trend to remove deleterious polymorphisms and accumulate nondeleterious polymorphisms. On the basis of protein structure of the ORs, we found that the distribution of different types of polymorphisms (synonymous, nonsynonymous, tolerated, and untolerated) varied greatly between the wolf and the breed dogs. In summary, our results suggest that different forms of selection have acted on the segregating OR pseudogenes in the CVD since domestication, breed dogs after breed formation, and ancestral wolf population, which has driven the evolution of these genes in different directions.

Proposal for a new radiological index to determine skull conformation in the dog

Measurements of the canine skull are of main interest in brachycephalic dogs. They are suspected to have diseases associated with the shortened nose, which are summarized under the term brachycephalic syndrome. The relative length of the nose has become an important feature in breeding and research, although a defi nitive correlation to the brachycephalic syndrome still has not been proven (Knecht, 1979; Harvey, 1982; Aron und Crowe, 1985; Koch et al., 2003). Classifi cations of skull types can be made by two methods. The traditional phenotypic assignment into brachycephalic, mesaticephalic and dolichocephalic is based on the assumption, that dogs of a specifi c breed have more or less uniform skull shapes. However, alterations due to breeding and differences be tween individual dogs of the same breed must lead to modifi cations. Therefore and for a more subtle classifi cation, skull measurements were introduced (Brehm et al., 1985; Evans, 1993; Regodon et al., 1993), The existing indexation methods from Evans (1993) and Brehm et al. (1985) are based on cadaver studies. They classify brachycephalic dogs as having a cranial length to facial length ratio (LL-index) of > 1.60 or a skull length to skull width ratio (LW-index) of < 1.44. However, the authors also mentioned the considerable range of those indices within a breed. Regodon et al. (1993) were the fi rst to propose a classifi cation based on radiographs of canine skulls with the craniofacial angle (CFA) as a criterion. The CFA is defi ned by a line along the base of the skull, and another line along the hard palate. The CFA of 10 dogs from 5 breeds were retrieved and it was found that the ranges clearly overlapped. The existing indices have their limitations for clinical use, either being based on cadavers (LL-index, LW-index) or not resulting in meaningful assignments of the individual skull measurement to the phenotypic appearance of the respective breed (CFA). We therefore propose a possible new skull index (S-index), which can be easily derived from radiographs of living animals and should refl ect the phenotype of each individual. Such an index has also the potential to be linked to airstream parameters (Wiestner et al., 2007) and to the clinical manifestation of respiratory problems of each individual. It offers an insight to different skull shapes between dogs of the same breed. We also propose a boundary value, which should have the potential to classify between brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic skull shapes. The new S-index is an approximation to the LL-index, retrieved form cadavers by Brehm et al. (1985). The index however was taken from radiographs in dorsoventral direction (Fig. 1). It is calculated by the length of the facial skull divided by the length of the cerebrum. In this context the length of the facial skull was defi ned as the distance from the rostral border of the incisal bone to the rostral border of the cavum cranii. The length of the cerebrum was measured from the rostral border of the cavum cranii to the caudal outline of the occipital bone, beginning at the dorsal border of the great foramen. The S-index was compared to the LW index and the CFA on 57 dogs of different breed, sex, age and size. They were presented to the University of Zurich for planned surgical procedures (mainly neutering). The owners agreed to the procedures necessary for this study. From all dogs, radiographs of the skull in dorsoventral (hard palate parallel to the table, Fig. 1) and laterolateral direction (hard palate perpendicular to the table, Fig. 2) were taken. The Sand LW-index (dorsoventral views) and CFA (laterolateral views) were determined (Tab. 1). A boundary value (BV) for the S-index was evaluated which allows for a separation of the brachycephalic and the non-brachycephalic breeds by the following method. First, the dogs in the present study were classifi ed on the basis of the established separating BV for the LW-index (Brehm et al., 1985). Secondly, the BV of S-index was determined such that the highest score in coincidence of classifi cation occurred for both, the brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic breeds . In this manner, it was found that all dogs having an S-index equal or below the BV of 1.25 are considered to have a brachycephalic skull shape (Tab. 1). In parallel the respective CFA were listed.

The Dog as an Animal Model for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration?

Prospective observational and analytic study. To investigate whether spontaneous intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) occurring in both chondrodystrophic (CD) and nonchondrodystrophic dogs (NCD) can be used as a valid translational model for human IVDD research. Different animal models are used in IVDD research, but in most of these models IVDD is induced manually or chemically rather than occurring spontaneously. A total of 184 intervertebral discs (IVDs) from 19 dogs of different breeds were used. The extent of IVDD was evaluated by macroscopic grading, histopathology, glycosaminoglycan content, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 activity. Canine data were compared with human IVD data acquired in this study or from the literature. Gross pathology of IVDD in both dog types (CD and NCD) and humans showed many similarities, but the cartilaginous endplates were significantly thicker and the subchondral cortices significantly thinner in humans than in dogs. Notochordal cells were still present in the IVDs of adult NCD but were not seen in the CD breeds or in humans. Signs of degeneration were seen in young dogs of CD breeds (<1 year of age), whereas this was only seen in older dogs of NCD breeds (5-7 years of age). The relative glycosaminoglycan content and metalloproteinase 2 activity in canine IVDD were similar to those in humans: metalloproteinase 2 activity increased and glycosaminoglycan content decreased with increasing severity of IVDD. IVDD is similar in humans and dogs. Both CD and NCD breeds may therefore serve as models of spontaneous IVDD for human research. However, as with all animal models, it is important to recognize interspecies differences and, indeed, the intraspecies differences between CD and NCD breeds (early vs. late onset of IVDD, respectively) to develop an optimal canine model of human IVDD.

Effects of cooked navy bean powder on apparent total tract nutrient digestibility and safety in healthy adult dogs1

Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L., Fabaceae) are a low glycemic index food containing protein, fiber, minerals, essential vitamins, and bioactive compounds and have not been evaluated for inclusion in commercial canine diets. The objective of this study was to establish the apparent total tract digestibility and safety of cooked navy bean powder when incorporated into a canine diet formulation at 25% (wt/wt) compared with a macro- and micro-nutrient matched control. Twenty-one healthy, free-living, male and female adult dogs of different breeds were used in a randomized, blinded, placebo controlled, 28-d dietary intervention study. Apparent total tract energy and nutrient digestibility of the navy bean powder diet were compared with the control diet. Digestibilities and ME content were 68.58 and 68.89% DM, 78.22 and 79.49% CP, 77.57 and 74.91% OM, 94.49 and 93.85% acid hydrolyzed fat, and 3,313 and 3,195 kcal ME/kg for the navy bean diet and control diet, respectively. No differences were observed between the groups. No increased flatulence or major change in fecal consistency was observed. Navy bean powder at 25% (wt/wt) of total diet was determined to be palatable (on the basis of intake and observation) and digestible in a variety of dog breeds. No changes were detected in clinical laboratory values, including complete blood counts, blood biochemical profiles, and urinalysis in either the bean or control diet groups. These results indicate that cooked navy bean powder can be safely included as a major food ingredient in canine diet formulations and provide a novel quality protein source, and its use warrants further investigation as a functional food for chronic disease control and prevention.

Arthroscopical treatment of elbow joint disease

Elbow arthroscopy was performed in 30 dogs of different breeds. The procedure was performed bilaterally in 20 of these dogs, yielding a total of 50 joints. Different lesions were found, varying from cartilage fissures (8) to fragmentation (42) of medial coronoid process (FCP) of the ulna. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humerus medial condyle was associated in four of them. All of these cases displayed varying degrees of synovitis. Osteoarthrosis (OA) in varying intensity was observed in 44 joints. The majority of cases were treated two to four months after the manifestation of clinical signs. Good clinical recovery occurred in dogs with minimal joint lesions, where these were diagnosed and treated within four weeks of the onset of clinical symptoms. Early diagnosis and arthroscopic treatment prevent osteoarthrosis and preserve locomotor function.

Canine muscle cell culture and consecutive patch-clamp measurements - a new approach to characterize muscular diseases in dogs

BackgroundThe recognition of functional muscular disorders, (e.g. channelopathies like Myotonia) is rising in veterinary neurology. Morphologic (e.g. histology) and even genetic based studies in these diseases are not able to elucidate the functional pathomechanism. As there is a deficit of knowledge and skills considering this special task, the aim of the current pilot study was to develop a canine muscle cell culture system derived from muscle biopsies of healthy client-owned dogs, which allows sampling of the biopsies under working conditions in the daily veterinary practise.ResultsMuscular biopsies from 16 dogs of different age and breed were taken during standard surgical procedures and were stored for one to three days at 4°C in a transport medium in order to simulate shipping conditions. Afterwards biopsies were professionally processed, including harvesting of satellite cells, inducing their proliferation, differentiating them into myotubes and recultivating myotubes after long-term storage in liquid nitrogen. Myogenic origin of cultured cells was determined by immunofluorescence, immunohistology and by their typical morphology after inducing differentiation. Subsequent to the differentiation into myotubes feasibility of patch-clamp recordings of voltage gated ion channels was successfully.ConclusionWe have developed a canine muscle cell culture system, which allows sampling of biopsies from young and old dogs of different breeds under practical conditions. Patch clamp measurements can be carried out with the cultured myotubes demonstrating potential of these cells as source for functional research.

Comparison of Biochemical Profiles among the Different Breeds of Dogs

Comparison of Biochemical Profiles among the Different Breeds of Dogs

Histologic morphology and involucrin, filaggrin, and keratin expression in normal canine skin from dogs of different breeds and coat types

The purpose of this study was to measure the thickness of canine epidermis at various anatomical sites according to localization of cornified envelopes (involucrin and filaggrin), keratins (keratin 10, 5), and their mRNA expression. This was done in the skin of five breeds of dogs including seven poodles, six golden retrievers, six Shih Tzus, four pugs, and four Labrador retrievers. Epidermal thickness of the stratum corneum and nucleated epidermal layer was significantly different. The greatest thickness was observed in the digital web area and the thinnest epidermis was in the axilla. Epidermal thickness was also significantly different between the breeds (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining scores revealed significant decreases of involucrin, filaggrin, and keratin 10 in the ventral and weight-bearing sites, and a relative increase of keratin 5 (p < 0.05). q-PCR analysis showed that their the levels of mRNA were positively correlated with expression of the corresponding proteins in skin samples (p < 0.05). The present study is the first to report the relationship between epidermal gene expression and histologic morphology of the skin in normal dogs. Further studies will be essential to fully understand the pathogenesis of skin barrier dysfunctions in canines.

Morphological, immunophenotypic and clinical characteristics of dogs with lymphocytic - plasmacytic duodenitis

The most important morphological feature of the immune response in lymphocytic-plasmacytic duodenitis (LPD) in dogs is the presence of a mononuclear infiltrate in the duodenal mucosa. The ethiopatogenesis of this disease is still unknown, nor are known all the immunophenotypic characteristics of the infiltrate cells, which would be of help in the elucidation of the pathogenesis of LPD. The study involved 60 adult dogs of different breeds and both sexes: 54 dogs with symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting that lasted longer than three weeks and six clinically healthy dogs that served as controls. Hematological and biochemical analysis of blood, radiology, ultrasound and endoscopic diagnosis were carried out. Samples of duodenal mucosal biopta were examined by histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. During endoscopic examination, duodenal wall thickening, mucosal edema and hyperemia were observed in 46 dogs. Microscopic studies showed on the epithelial cells of the duodenum degenerative changes, and sometimes desquamation. Most of the intestinal crypts were dilated, irregularly shaped and filled with detritus. On immunohistochemical examination of samples of the duodenum in a number of dogs with LPD a predominant expression of CD3 + T lymphocytes was observed. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 46002]

Body measurements and serum lipid profile of overweight adult dogs fed diet with containing conjugated linoleic acid

Studies with human beings and animals have shown that dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) promotes changes in body structure, markedly, body fat reduction. This research aimed to assess the effect of CLA (60% of conjugated linoleic acid methyl ester, at the proportion of 1:1 of the 9, 11: 10, 12 isomers) on changes in body weight, subcutaneous tissue thickness, body fat mass and concentration of serum lipids (triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL) in overweight dogs. Dogs of different breeds weighting 16.85±7.13 assigned in a randomized assay. Two types of diets were offered for 120 days: control (-CLA) and test (+CLA, 0.3%). There was no difference between control and test groups considering body weight and serum levels of triacylglycerols, total cholesterol and LDL portion. There was a significant difference between the final and initial results for subcutaneous tissue thickness and body fat mass and for serum concentration of HDL in dogs supplemented with CLA. The addition of 0.3% of CLA in the diet of overweight dogs decreased the fat deposition on subcutaneous tissue and the development of body fat mass but increased blood levels of HDL.

Possible behavioral effects of exogenous corticosteroids on dog behavior: a preliminary investigation

Abstract Glucocorticoids are widely used in veterinary medicine and their physical side effects are well-known; however, the effects on dog behavior linked to their role in the stress response and effects on mood have not been reported in previously published data. In this article, retrospective owner reports of the behavioral changes in dogs during corticosteroid therapy in a series of cases have been described so as to generate items for future use in a controlled structured questionnaire. The perceptions of behavioral changes in dogs during corticosteroid therapy were investigated through semi-structured open interviews of the owners of 31 dogs of different breeds, genders, and ages. All dogs had received corticosteroid therapies in the past 6 months. In all, 18 dogs had been administered methylprednisolone (dose range, 0.2-1 mg/kg), 8 were administered prednisolone (dose range, 0.2-1 mg/kg), and 5 were administered dexamethasone (dose range, 0.01-0.3). Methylprednisolone and prednisolone were used for dermatological conditions, and dexamethasone was used for orthopedic conditions. Owners were asked to describe their dog's behaviors both on and off corticosteroid therapy. Interviews were ceased when answers became repetitive with no new reported behavioral change (interview to redundancy). In all, 11 owners reported behavioral changes in their dogs; 9 dogs were reported to show more than one behavioral change. Six dogs reportedly showed nervousness and/or restlessness, 3 showed an increase in startle responses, 3 showed food guarding, 2 showed a decrease in their activity level, 3 showed an increase in avoidance responses, 4 showed irritable aggression, and 2 dogs increased barking. Semi-structured interviews can be useful preliminary tools for the identification of areas of future investigation, and the outcomes of the interviews reported in this article will be used in further quantitative research, to investigate more rigorously the possible relationship between these signs and corticosteroid use in dogs.

Influence of different levels and sources of resistant starch on faecal quality of dogs of various body sizes

In dry-extruded canine diets, starch ileal digestibility varies with the starch source, amount and processing parameters. Starch that escapes duodeno-ileal digestion can affect faecal quality by stimulating colonic bacterial fermentation. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of various resistant starch (RS) sources and levels on the faecal score of dogs of different breeds and sizes. A total of twenty-one healthy adult female dogs (body weight ranging 5.0-30.6 kg) were used. The maintenance diet for the dogs was supplemented with increasing amounts of RS from two sources: high-amylose starch from maize (to 2.5, 4.3 and 7.4 % RS) and raw potato starch (to 7.4 and 11.4 % RS). Each level of RS was tested over a 7 d period followed by a 7 d washout period. Faecal scores were evaluated by one person using a scale ranging from 1 (for hard and dry faeces) to 5 (for liquid stools). Faeces were considered 'optimal' at scores of 2.5-3.0, 'acceptable' at scores of 3.0-3.75 and 'unacceptable' at scores >3.75. Small dogs showed very little sensitivity to RS based on the faecal score, while large dogs were quite responsive to RS supplementation. These results suggest that small dogs are poor models for assessing the effect of starch sources on ileal digestibility. They also indicate that a low RS content (strongly affected by source and processing) is an important factor for ensuring an optimal faecal score in large breed dogs.

ADAMTS17 mutation associated with primary lens luxation is widespread among breeds

Primary lens luxation (PLL) is a well-recognized, painful and potentially blinding inherited ocular condition in dogs. We screened PLL-affected dogs of 30 different breeds, to identify those which carried a previously described c.1473+1 G>A mutation in ADAMTS17 that is associated with PLL in Miniature Bull terriers, Lancashire Heelers, and Jack Russell terriers. This ADAMTS17 mutation was identified in PLL-affected dogs from 14 additional breeds. PLL-affected dogs from some breeds (most notably the Shar pei and the Brittany spaniel) did not carry the G1473+1A ADAMTS17 mutation, indicating they must suffer from a genetically distinct form of the condition. We also estimated the frequency of this ADAMTS17 mutation in some of the breeds. Our findings indicate the mutation segregates in a large number of different breeds of dog, many of which are terriers or breeds with terrier co-ancestry, but some of which have more diverse origins. Our results also indicate that the mutation is present at high frequency within most of the breeds in which it segregates. In the miniature bull terrier breed estimates of mutation frequency ranged from 0.27 to 0.39, corresponding to 7.3-15.2% PLL-affected dogs in this breed. We also identified an increased risk of PLL associated with heterozygosity at ADAMTS17, suggesting that carriers carry a low risk of developing PLL.

Dog Allergen Levels in Homes with Hypoallergenic Compared with Nonhypoallergenic Dogs

Despite the public interest in hypoallergenic dogs, few scientific, including epidemiological studies have attempted to evaluate claims of hypoallergenicity. This study was designed to determine whether dog breeds reported as hypoallergenic correspond to lower dog allergen in the home versus nonhypoallergenic dogs. A web search was conducted to identify breeds cited as hypoallergenic. Four separate classification schemes using combinations of purebred and mixed breed dogs were used to compare the levels of Canis familiaris 1 in dust samples collected from homes with hypoallergenic versus nonhypoallergenic dogs from an established birth cohort. No classification scheme showed that the level of dog allergen in homes with hypoallergenic dogs differed from other homes. Dog-allergic individuals should have access to scientifically valid information on the level of allergen shedding of different breeds of dogs.

Circulating cytokine concentrations in dogs with different degrees of myxomatous mitral valve disease

Cytokines have been associated with the progression of congestive heart failure (CHF) in humans and may be implicated in the pathophysiology of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in dogs. The aim of this study was to determine the serum concentrations of cytokines in dogs with MMVD. The study included 16 Cairn terriers with no or minimal mitral regurgitation (MR), 41 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) with different degrees of MR and 11 dogs of different breeds with CHF due to MMVD. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, IL-18, keratinocyte-derived chemokine, interferon-γ-induced protein and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were measured using a canine-specific multiplex immunoassay. CHF dogs had significantly higher MCP-1 concentrations than dogs with no or minimal MR. Among the CKCS, IL-2 and IL-7 decreased with increasing left atrial size and IL-7 also decreased with increasing MR. IL-8 decreased with increasing left ventricular end-systolic internal dimensions. MCP-1 was increased in CHF dogs compared to healthy control dogs and IL-2, IL-7 and IL-8 decreased with increasing indices of disease severity. The results suggest a role for these cytokines in canine MMVD and CHF.